Gujarat has not seen drought since Modi became CM in 2001: Shah

Union minister Amit Shah on Thursday stated that Gujarat’s water management has improved significantly since Narendra Modi took office as chief minister in 2001. He further claimed that the state has not experienced drought conditions in the last 25 years.

Shah made these comments after inaugurating a 21-acre lake constructed by a trust headed by diamond businessman and Padma Shri recipient Savjibhai Dholakia in Dudhala village, Amreli district. Shah referred to the severe droughts of 1985, 1986, and 1987, and alleged that the Congress Government at the time was involved in corruption, including at the Rafaleshwar cattle camp. He stated that measures to conserve rainwater and improve groundwater recharge were necessary to prevent future droughts.

“We were young then. People worked on drought relief, digging pits and filling them to earn daily wages. We distributed 250 grams of sukhdi (a sweet) and old sandals collected from homes to those suffering from the drought,” Shah said. He cited a public water tap near a bus stand in Rajkot that had to be lowered into a pit because the water pressure was too low to reach the surface.

“Such was the situation before Narendrabhai became chief minister in 2001,” Shah said. He claimed that Modi’s policies changed Saurashtra and north Gujarat from drought-prone areas to regions with better water supply.

According to Shah, the Modi Government constructed 150,000 check dams in 2003. Subsequent water conservation efforts included the Narmada canal network, SAUNI Yojana, and Sujalam. Shah stated that while the foundation stone for the Narmada project was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, the project gates were opened only after Narendra Modi became prime minister.

Shah said that the Modi Government prioritised water management by establishing the Ministry of Jal Shakti after Modi assumed office as prime minister.

The Union Minister also mentioned desilting of reservoirs, adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation, and the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign as initiatives to enhance water conservation.

“After becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi established the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Everyone believed in the mantra of ‘Water is life,’ but previous Governments never established such a Ministry,” said Shah.

Shah stated that Narmada water now reaches Saurashtra, Kutch, and Khavda, with surplus water being directed to reservoirs and rivers through the SAUNI Yojana.

According to Shah, approximately 10,000 lakes in north and central Gujarat have been filled with Narmada water. He added that water conservation efforts have involved the Government, individuals, and local communities.

Shah noted that before 2001, Gujarat faced a significant geographical imbalance in water resources, with most water concentrated in Bharuch, even though the majority of the population resided elsewhere.

“Through human effort, public awareness and a mass movement, efforts were made to correct this imbalance,” Shah said, adding that check dams, lakes and other water conservation structures had helped raise groundwater levels and boost agriculture.

Shah said that Dholakia has constructed 208 lakes, which have contributed to groundwater recharge in the region.

Shah stated that, according to Dholakia, the 21-acre lake, measuring approximately 360 metres by 260 metres and four metres deep, has stored significant water and helped revive wells in the area.

Shah commended Dholakia for his work in water conservation. He stated that national civilian honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, are not intended for families or acquaintances.

“Despite building 208 lakes, Savjibhai said, ‘I didn’t even submit an application, and they awarded me the Padma Shri’. Savjibhai, after doing so much work for water conservation by building 208 lakes, if you had to apply for it, our Government would be considered blind,” said Shah.

“Since Modi became the Chief Minister, Gujarat has not witnessed a single drought up to the year 2026. This time, everyone said a drought was imminent because of El Niño. Though there was less rainfall in some villages, the dire need to take cattle and migrate towards South Gujarat never arose.